Editor's Note: This column was co-authored by Kent D. MacDonald.
Michigan’s Legendary WJR radio broadcaster Frank Beckmann announced his retirement, effective March 26th, to the dismay of millions. Beckmann’s versatile career covered all four Detroit professional sports teams (Lions, Tigers, Red Wings and Pistons), served as the voice of the University of Michigan football team (succeeding the great Bob Ufer in 1981 as play-by-play announcer – a job Frank excelled at for 33 seasons), reported on the horrors of 9/11, the bankruptcy and rebirth of the city of Detroit, and 13 presidential elections.
Born November 3rd, 1949 in Kiel, West Germany, Frank grew up and spent his early high school years in northeast Detroit, attending Osborne High School, later transferring Warren Cousino (Beckmann’s family moved to Warren so Frank could attend a high school with a student-run radio station). Beckmann thrived as a student and a broadcaster at Cousino, realizing that his dream of becoming a Detroit Lions broadcaster could come to fruition.
After studying broadcast journalism for two years at Macomb Community College, Frank began his professional career in 1969 at the ripe old age of 20. Beckmann attributes much of his success to his wife, Karen, his family, WJR leadership, his personal broadcast team, and the mentoring from renowned WJR broadcaster, J.P. McCarthy. In his passionate pursuit of excellence, Frank Beckmann, a kind soul with wisdom one gains only from vast experiences, achieved national stature as a radio broadcaster because he had an impeccable work ethic, a notable radio voice, a curiosity for ideas and facts, and always demanded the truth. His storied career was also made possible by the fact that Frank loves people, his audience, Detroit, the state of Michigan and the United States of America.
“Frank Beckmann became a radio legend because he does everything right,” Steve Finateri, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Detroit, noted recently at “full throttle.” As a mid-day talk show personality, Frank prided himself on having the support of “the best broadcast team” providing “the best research” and the “best informed audience.” He was always dedicated to delivering a quality, timely, and up-to-date show. Frank is iconic because his answers were always consistent, expressing his love of and for America, and his belief in freedom, free enterprise and the American Dream. His chosen daily topics usually drove home his fundamental premise on life, and optimism that the best was yet to come.
Over his 48 year career, Frank has had a who’s who of guests, including U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, rock and roll legend Ted Nugent, American sniper Rob O’Neill, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, U.S. astronaut Jerry Linenger, legendary Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler, energy co-generation entrepreneur and owner of the Houston Texans football team Bob McNair, acclaimed broadcaster Ernie Harwell, Red Wings Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman, and Detroit Tigers Hall of Famer Al Kaline.
In 2011, Beckmann seriously considered a run for the U.S. Senate against then incumbent Michigan U.S. Senator, Debbie Stabenow. He decided not to move forward, as he would have needed to register as a Republican and abandon his broadcasting positions.
Over the course of Frank’s esteemed career, he has helped raise tens of millions of dollars for Michigan-based charities, including the March of Dimes, hosting a golf tournament for the past 37 years; The Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund; Dutton Farm, which serves those with Down Syndrome; The Autism Alliance of Michigan; and, numerous other non-profits.
Beckmann’s peers and the broadcasting industry have recognized Frank many times:
- “Best Mid-day Personality” (numerous times by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters).
- Member Michigan Sports Hall of Fame (2008).
- Member Michigan Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
- Member VIP Mentoring Coaches Challenge Hall of Fame.
- “Top Michigan Sportscaster” (multiple times).
- 2014 Recipient of the Chris Schenkel Award by the National Football Foundation, which included membership in the College Football Hall of Fame.
- Honorary Doctor of Laws from Northwood University (May 2012) for exemplary lifetime achievement for both his career and philanthropic accomplishments.
Beckmann Show Executive Producer Chris Renwick recently said, “It has been an honor to have had a front row seat for the last 4 years of Frank’s 48-year hall of fame career.”
In our opinion, Frank Beckmann’s life is the epitome of the American Dream. He recently told us: “I will be forever grateful to WJR for helping all of my boyhood dreams come true. As a youngster growing up on the east side of Detroit, I always imagined sitting behind a microphone announcing Lions and Tigers games. It was surreal for me to actually have been able to do that along with experiencing the other great opportunities this radio giant known as WJR provided me. I only hope I’ve met their expectations of me and I thank every person I have worked for or with at WJR. It’s been an amazing ride and while I look forward to the upcoming additional golf time, I know I will deeply miss the incredible best in business professionals I have worked for and with these past 48 years, which not only include my co-workers, but our clients, many of whom have become friends and most especially our loyal and dedicated audience who often gave me wise advice and support while making it among the most listened-to shows in the Midwest. I look forward to spending more time with my beautiful wife Karen, son Jon, and daughter Tori, and our three wonderful grandchildren, Pierson, 4, Sawyer and Brooks, 2, my golf clubs, and an occasional cigar and glass of scotch.”
A toast and a fond farewell to a person who regularly challenged us to think and debate great issues, while asking why not a bigger and better Detroit, Michigan, America, and/or world… Frank, you will be missed!
Kent D. MacDonald is president of Northwood University and Timothy G. Nash is director of the McNair Center at Northwood University.